If you are involved with internet marketing, affiliate marketing, MLM or network marketing today and expect your online business to be successful, one thing must surely be in place before this can happen, you must be productive.  This is especially true if you are in the beginning stages of starting your online business.  Why is being productive so important?

The simple answer, the internet!  With so much happening around the internet and the ease of browsing and surfing for information, it's easy to become distracted in what you are really trying to accomplish.  With the increased popularity in social networking and the ever popular social media from sites such as YouTube, it's not difficult to spend time around these sites and eventually losing track of time, not to mention, the total loss of what you were working on.

This doesn't mean that these sites are bad and that you should avoid them, not at all.  It simply means prioritizing the important things first.  For example, if you are doing research for an article or blog post, do the research first and leave socializing or watching videos for later.  This may sound like an obvious task, but you would be surprised at the number of internet marketers who complain about not having enough time to get everything done for their business.

One of the most important things that you must learn how to do while working online is, the ability to stay focused on your business!  Internet marketing can be easy or difficult, it simply depends on your level of attention towards your business.  Of course, don't forget other distractions that can easily make your work environment even more difficult.  This includes everything from watching TV, babysitting, cooking meals, answering the phone, plus many more distractions that can basically eat away at valuable time.

That's why it's important to control the time that you need for your online business.  Follow a plan and set a schedule to start and finish tasks.  In order for your efforts to be effective in growing your online business, you must have an efficient system set up.  One that is easy and simple to follow and complete.  Without it, you are simply operating in the dark with no clear direction, time tables, goals, expectations and the opportunity for success.

Your overall productivity can start slowly and begin to pick up as you become more familiar with each of the tasks that need to be accomplished.  To do this, keep it simple, try using notepad and start by making a list of things that you want to get done.  Categorize and list them according to their importance.  You can go a step further by including the time frame to accomplish each task and the time that it actually takes you to complete them.

Another important rule to remember, don't try to do everything at once.  Focus!  Focus on one task and actually make a point to complete it.  This will keep you going, not only in the right direction, but a positive one as well.  Like I said before, time management will definitely be a key factor for anyone that is involved with internet marketing and can have a serious impact on how successful you will be.